Speaking after the match, the former Napoli and Juventus defender reiterated his view that his young players deserve more playing time in Italy’s top flight.

“Often in Italy has favoured foreigners over Italian players, even if they have been players that we could have done without.

“Unfortunately our country’s clubs lacks the courage to play youngsters in the first team. However, I must admit to being reasonably happy because many of these guys are still finding space, if not in Serie A.”

Regulars under Ferrara including Alessandro Crescenzi, Giulio Donati, Fausto Rossi and Riccardo Saponara are all currently based in Serie B.

Similarly, Insigne, Marco Capuano, Ciro Immobile and Carlo Pinsoglio are all playing a part in Pescara’s promotion push in the second tier of Italian football, whilst Inter have just sent Luca Caldirola to Brescia.

“It was important to meet up with the boys for a few days,” mused Ferrara today. “It was also an opportunity to see some new players.

“[Luca] Marrone and Immobile were absent? The Juventus midfielder [Marrone] is a very important player for me, but unfortunately he has not been playing for six months.

“By continuing in this way, with the view of European Under-21 Championship qualification, I have to look around for guys who are playing.

“On Immobile, I believe that no-one knows this player better than I do, so he must continue in Pescara and his opportunity, of course, will come to him.

“That being said, up front today I had four players - with the exception of Gabbiadini, who plays little - who are first-team members or at least part of squads playing in Serie A.”